Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice
Sorted by date Results 3452 - 3476 of 4702
Dangers of the Internet... One of the major priorities for the World Jewish Congress (WJC) in 2016 is to put an end to the spread of hate and the recruitment of terrorists on social media sights. I recently received the following (in part) from Ambassador RONALD S. LAUDER, president of the WJC: "As we turn a page on the deadly 2015 for Jews in Europe and Israel, I am deeply concerned for the safety and security of Jews in the new year. It's hard to recall a recent time of greater turmoil and... Full story
Whether it's your first time in Israel or your 50th, there's something undeniably magical about Eretz Yisrael. For me, our December trip was my fifth visit to the Land of Milk and Honey. It was my husband Micah's first. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't concerned at all about security prior to our trip. We traveled on El Al and, knowing the airline's stringent security procedures, we were confident of our safety. On advice from a friend who had recently traveled to Israel, we packed pepper spray... Full story
JERUSALEM (JTA)-The hardest part was loading the assault rifle. That's not because he was a newbie, unaccustomed to the workings of a Tavor rifle. Rather, 1st Sgt. Izzy Ezagui had lost an arm in combat. He'd overcome seemingly insurmountable bureaucratic hurdles and got a posting on a base in the Negev. And so his next challenge began: He had to prove he could still fight. Ezagui is the only combat soldier with an amputation to serve as an officer in the Israel Defense Forces reserves. For him,... Full story
MOSCOW (JTA)-Like many tourists in Red Square, I have often wondered what lies beyond the tall walls that separate this Moscow attraction from the Kremlin, the official residence of Russia's president and the nerve center of the state. As a journalist long obsessed with Russia, I've wanted to take a peek inside the Kremlin for just about forever. In my fantasy, I'd have a one-on-one interview with Vladimir Putin in which I gain the strongman's respect by beating him in a staring contest.... Full story
(Kveller via JTA)—When I was growing up, my father’s parents lived half a world away in Israel. I only met them a handful of times. Back then there was no Internet, so we sent letters and made the occasional phone call. Once, when I was 12 or so, my dad sent his parents a couple of recent photos of me. A few weeks later, he received a phone call from his mother to tell him that I looked just like one of her sisters. It was a big deal to her—not just because she didn’t see me that often, or that she was moved by the family resembl... Full story
Hundreds of students gathered together outside of the UCF's Student Union to celebrate with the Jewish organization Chabad and its co-sponsors AEPI, AEPHI, ZBT and Knights for Israel with a menorah lighting ceremony. The event provided latkes, Chanukah music and a toy drive. President Hitt opened the ceremony and lit the Shamash, the center candle on the menorah, which is used to light the other candles. Hitt welcomed the evening and Chabad with some inspirational words. "When I became... Full story
On Nov. 8, 2015 four conservative congregation's Men's Clubs held an event to honor individuals from each of their participating synagogues for their outstanding leadership with their synagogue and their community. The event, called "Man of the Year/Youth of the Year," was held at Congregation Ohev Shalom in Maitland. The four Conservative Temples in Central Florida that joined the event were Congregation Beth Am, Longwood; Temple Beth Sholom, Melbourne; Temple Israel, Winter Springs; and... Full story
"Everything's Possible," by Tom Rosenberg Epoche Press Subtitled "A memoir of assimilating, chasing the American Dream, and reclaiming Jewish identity, author Tom Rosenberg stated, "Judaism is a religion that accepts change. This makes me proud to be a Jew." Now that's a positive statement about one's identity. But Rosenberg didn't always think that way. He was six in 1938, when his family escaped Nazi Germany. When the family arrived in America, they adopted the anglicized name Ross.... Full story
Even I forgot... Before I became a professional singer and a writer of columns, I was a published poet. I completely forgot about that part of my life until just recently when one of my sons helped me clean out my garage and several books containing my poetry were found. I will pass on only one because it is so appropriate for my new situation: "I held your hand when first we met and came to know your touch, I held your hand and as time past I loved you oh so much, I held your hand when we were... Full story
Over the past 100 years, Portugal has made sudden, somewhat fitful, unplanned, and as it turned out, cynical proposals accompanied by dramatic announcements of its intention to carry out “historic justice” and make reparations to the descendants of its Jewish population expelled in 1497. Following a previous example set by Spain in 2013 guaranteeing a “Jewish right of return” by descendants of those expelled in 1492, observers have struggled to understand what if anything is at stake other than a cosmetic attempt to assuage a conscie... Full story
Yes, he has seen the recent film “The Martian.” But unlike the other millions who have seen that movie, Barak Stoltz went much closer to Mars. Stoltz spent Hanukkah in the Utah desert, in a few cramped capsules that make up the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS). He lit his menorah, sang some songs, and even tried his hand at making latkes—all while practicing for a manned mission to Mars. MDRS is run by the Mars Society, a Colorado-based non-profit that works toward a human presence on that planet. The idea of the MDRS is to recreate, as mu... Full story
(JTA)-Miriam Adelson and her husband, Sheldon, reportedly are at odds over which Republican presidential candidate deserves backing. But this isn't a typical marital spat-it's about which candidate most deserves to be showered with their money. Miriam Adelson, an Israeli-born physician, favors Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, while casino magnate Sheldon Adelson likes Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., according to a report on Yahoo! How much exactly is at stake in this domestic dispute? Tens of millions of... Full story
Judy Procell, aka Ms. Chanukah, takes a selfie with the residents at The Westminster.... Full story
Every year at their annual gala, the Louis D. Brandeis Award Dinner, the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) recognizes one student in the country for his or her pro-Israel advocacy on campus. This year, on Nov. 22 at New York City's Grand Hyatt Hotel, in the presence of Israeli Ambassador to the United States Ron Dermer, Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon, Academy-Award-winning actor and Christian Zionist Jon Voight, and more than 1,100 others in attendance, Derek Silver of Winter P... Full story
(Kveller via JTA)-I grew up in northern New Jersey where my high school class was at least 20 percent Jewish. The local deli was run by one of my grandmother's former fourth-grade students from when she taught elementary school in Brooklyn. He deferred to her as Mrs. Isquith and she still called him "Kenny" as if he were still in fourth grade. If your parents had a falling out with one rabbi, your family could join another temple a few miles down the road. The stores were stocked with round... Full story
This Chanukah season Judy Appleton Procell has been literally putting her "selfie" out there on behalf of the elder-care community she serves as a program director for the Jewish Pavilion. "This year I have put a different spin on the Chanukah parties I have hosted on behalf of the Jewish Pavilion," remarked Procell. "I have taken a selfie at all nine parties so I can share these 'Kodak moments' with the community, and replicate the joy and the connection that we bring to our seniors." Procell... Full story
A disturbing letter... I received a letter from RONALD S. LAUDER, president of the World Jewish Congress (WJC) and I pass it along in part to you: "As we close the door on 2015, I am dismayed by the wave of terror that has crashed over the Jewish state of Israel, taking with it the lives of too many innocent men, women and children and leaving many critically wounded. As terrorist thugs continue their violent attacks against the citizens of Israel, Jews in Europe are facing anti-Semitic... Full story
Orlando Torah Academy hosted its first Science Fair on Dec. 3rd. Nine students from grades 2-5 participated, displaying their findings from experiments completed at home. Parents, teachers and fellow students all turned out for the fun. Akiva Paris, from Mrs. Dottino's 5th grade class, took first place with "Which Material Will Best Protect a Falling Egg." Ezra Ellman, a second grader from Mrs. Wittlin's class, placed second with "Water & Ice." Third place was awarded to Rikki Yachnes, from... Full story
"Beneath the Helmet: From High School to the Home Front," a poignant coming-of-age documentary film, will be shown at Congregation Ohev Shalom on Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016, at 7 p.m. Most of the film is in Hebrew with English subtitles. This documentary follows five diverse Israeli high school graduates as they enter the army at age 18. Through this compelling documentary you begin to truly understand and digest the fact that in their young hands, and others like them, rests the responsibility of... Full story
Lawrence Kolin, a mediator and arbitrator with Upchurch Watson White & Max, is one of only 50 attorneys to be honored as The National Law Journal's 2015 Litigation Trailblazers. He accepted his award at a reception honoring the distinguished recipients in New York City on Dec. 14. "The National Law Journal proudly recognizes the people who have truly 'moved the needle' in facilitating the changing ways that law firms conduct business," says Kenneth A. Gary, the journal's vice president and... Full story
Part 2 of a 3-part series The international and domestic threat of terrorism is driving the 2016 Republican Presidential Primary's principal concerns and outcome, as repeatedly related at the Republican Jewish Coalition's (RJC's) Dec. 3, 2015, Presidential Candidates' Forum held in Washington, D.C., with 13 of the Republican Primary candidates speaking. Addressing this terrorist threat is linked to an increased American security alliance with Israel as multiple candidates noted in their... Full story
On Dec. 8, middle school students from the Geneva School, a Christian day school, and Leaders Preparatory School, an Islamic educational school, joined the middle school students from the Jewish Academy of Orlando for a morning of learning and sharing. This was the first meeting between the three schools that will take place this year. The theme for this year's multi-faith program is "cities and peace." Each different faith will be teaching about cities that are important to their different... Full story
The room was decorated to 'the max' with balloons, streamers, hanukkiah, and dreidels. With over 40 residents gathered to enjoy the Chanukah sing a long lead by Cantor Allan Robuck there was nothing but smiling faces, clapping hands and tapping toes. Thanks to the staff of Brookdale, Jewish Pavilion volunteers and the very talented Cantor Robuck, the residents were treated to a wonderful festive holiday celebration.... Full story
"That was but a prelude; where they burn books, they will ultimately burn people as well," wrote Heinrich Heine, the German Jewish poet, journalist, essayist, and literary critic in his 1821 play Almansor. These prescient words are engraved in the pavement on Berlin's Opernplatz where, on May 11, 1933 thousands of books were burned by the Nazis. One hundred seventy-seven books, the Rabbinical working library of Reverend Herman Doych (Hermann Deutsch), were spirited out of Germany on April 24,... Full story
Jewish Pavilion Director Nancy Ludin, recently had the good fortune to be seated next to Ilene Miller on a return flight to Orlando. Miller, also of Orlando, revealed that she is a magician! "I'm a novice unrelated to Houdini nor will you see what I do on TV. However, I like to have FUN. And if I can put a smile on your face then my job is done!" she said. Known in the Orlando area as Maybelene the Fun Magician, Miller volunteers for nursing homes and children's hospitals. The result from... Full story
